Read online Dear Readers, It's the middle of July, so what are the three questions on my mind this week? Can anyone please tell or convince me that Prime Day, over four days, was a success? Bloomberg decided that an article on the first day's result was a good idea, but I tend to believe that consumers waited until the last day to see all the deals before making any purchases. Days one and two were down. Extending events leads to dilution of demand from consumers. In China, marketplaces are...
9 days ago • 9 min read
Read online Dear Readers, The three questions for the past week: Why is there no discussion about the regulations for marketplace sellers in California and New York? I know from experience that regulations often receive little to no clicks or engagement, but how do sellers prove that they are not selling stolen goods? Is this the end of retail arbitrage? Returns policies on product detail pages? Why have Home Depot and Lowe's decided that buying platforms for professionals is the next race?...
17 days ago • 8 min read
Read online Dear Readers, The three things on my mind this week: Are Stablecoins the next shiny thing that businesses will chase? Another crypto concept that could seemingly help facilitate cross-border commerce, but what will be its usage by consumers? I sit in the middle of the world, literally, and it feels like we are witnessing Chinese marketplaces and logistics solutions expanding into new markets. I have not spoken about this in detail, but the Middle East and Brazil are the...
24 days ago • 7 min read
Read online Dear Readers, The three things on my mind this week:? I find Amazon and its AI future fascinating. Did Andy Jassy say anything new in the note sent to Amazon staff this week? We are entering an era where technology companies will have fewer staff due to the rise of AI. Amazon is unique in that it will need staff for its warehouses, but let's not get carried away with this being something like Bezos' shareholder letter. Really? No Brittain. Did something happen at JD.com this past...
about 1 month ago • 8 min read
Read online Dear Readers, The three things on my mind this week:? Why aren't we discussing Chinese sellers going directly to markets through marketplaces? This seems to be a developing trend, as I am aware of startups that are helping Chinese sellers enter marketplaces on various continents. These manufacturers and brands are being squeezed by Temu, SHEIN, and others, yet this topic remains largely under the radar. Will marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart save the luxury industry? I ask, as...
about 1 month ago • 7 min read
Read online Dear Readers, Firstly, thanks to everyone who got in touch after last week's relaunch. i am testing what the best way is to serve you on Sundays. My weekly article on Wednesday was interrupted by unplanned tasks around the house. Hopefully, I will get to sending the first mid-week post on Wednesday. The three stories on my mind this week: Amazon goes deeper into AI and launches grocery in South Africa. Amazon is often viewed as an AI laggard. I tend to disagree as the company is...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Read online Dear Readers, I wrote my last newsletter in November 2024, and then it got really busy. I did not realize at the time that the world would undergo significant changes by 2025. I was aware of elections in Singapore, India, and the US, but had no idea that in April 2025, the trading hierarchy would be rearranged. The chaos and uncertainty created in 2025 have likely changed commerce, and especially cross-border e-commerce, which will likely never be the same. So why restart this...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
.Read this email in your browser Dear Readers, I have been busy the last three weeks and was behind in my reading to create this newsletter. The three questions on my mind: How does Amazon balance the new cheap from China store with its current operation? There are a lot of pitfalls and downsides vs Temu. What is the second-order impact of these cross-border marketplaces? Unemployment, textile sector challenges, and chaotic logistics? Is Temu the Trojan horse eroding Shein, Amazon, and...
9 months ago • 9 min read
Read this email in your browser Dear Readers, Happy Columbus Day to those who celebrated on Monday! The three questions on my mind this week: Why did MyTheresa management change its focus and acquire Yoox Net-A-Porter? Was it the low price of the asset or Richemont's desperation to find a new owner? I can't decide. Is there a world in which Temu wins in the US? Or is it dependent on regulation? Why do marketplaces struggle to keep medicines and drugs on their platforms? Coupang got the...
9 months ago • 7 min read